Gustav pumptow



(No Model.)

G. PUMPTOW.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS.

No. 582,227. Patented May 11, 1897.

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GUSTAV PUMPTOW, OF SOHKEUDITZ, GERMANY.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR RAILWA YS.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 582,227, dated May 11, 1897.

Application filed December 22, 1896. Serial No. 616,655. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV PUMPTOW, a subject of the King of Prussia, German Emperor, residing at Schkeuditz, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, have made a new and useful Improvement in Safety Devices for Railways, of which the following is a full and ex act specification.

This invention relates to safety devices on railways, and is especiallyintended to call the attention of the engineer of amoving locomotive-engine to the fact that the tracks are blocked or the gates of the level-crossings open.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a vertical side view of the device. Fig. 2 is a front view. Fig. 3 is a side view of the contact-lever on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a front view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

For the purposes of this inventionthere are, at a distance of about twenty to thirty meters, poles a b c placed, having cross-bars d, the ends of which reach to a line above the center of the tracks. The cross-bar cl of the middle one of these poles is arranged to swing up and down and is connected with the gates of the nearest crossing or the stop-signal by means of wires e. Between the tops of all three poles is a wire f, which may be lifted or lowered by means of the swinging arm at of the center pole b. The wire epasses around a pulley c, and when this is turned by pulling the Wire the pitman e connected eccentrically to the pulley and to the arm cl, will move the latter.

In the normal position the wire f is pressed down by the cross-bar d of the center pole b, so that the contact-lever g of the engine may slide alongsaid wire and strike a bell placed near the stand of the engineer.

The contact-lever g is shownin Figs. 3 and 4 and is provided with a fork h, having a roller 2', which is pressed against the wire f by means of the counterweight it. The axle Z of the fork 71, works also a second smaller lever m, to which a chain 12 is fastened, which chain runs between two rollers o p and engages a rod q, whereby the bell r is sounded.

The tension of the wire is necessary in order to avoid the contact of .the lever during the speed at which the train runs. This device may be placed at or near level-crossings, and may be connected with the gates by wires. It will increase the safety of railway travel, will prevent the running over of persons, cattle, or vehicles, as the engineer receives in time a signal that the gates are not closed.

I claim 1. In combination, the wire supported at' its ends and extending lengthwise of the tracks, means for raising and depressing the intermediate part of said wire and a contactlever on the car having connection with a signal on the car, substantially as described.

2. In combination, the two end posts, the wire stretched between, the intermediate post, the lever cl pivoted thereon forlowering the middle part of the wire, means for oper ating the lever and the signal device on the car to contact with the wire, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' GUSTAV PUMPTOW'.

Witnesses:

RUDOLPH FRICKE, OTTO DOEDERLEIN. 

